Quayle Blasts Club for Growth for Warning GOP Leadership

Republicans Ben Quayle, left, and Vernon Parker are shown at a candidates forum, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010, in Phoenix. Both men are seeking to fill the Arizona Congressional district 3 seat be vacated by eight-term Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)

"So far as House leadership is concerned, moreover, it seems that your fears may be badly misplaced. In the most recent policy matter in which Congressman Schweikert and I differed -- Barack Obama's misbegotten payroll tax deal -- it was Schweikert, not I, who voted with the leadership and Obama," writes Quayle.
"I cast the more pro-growth and fiscally responsible vote, in this case a "no." Schweikert, alone among Arizona Republicans, voted for this non-growth, deficit-expanding policy that is contrary to sound economic and tax policy. Isn't this exactly the kind of voting behavior that the Club was founded to discourage and marginalize in favor of more reliable representatives in Congress?" asks Quayle.
In fact, Quayle notes, "I have received a higher legislative score from the Club For Growth than Congressman Schweikert, to go along with a higher ranking as well from the National Journal, which found there to be no more conservative member of Congress than me."
"It is therefore quite a contortion for you, as the Club's president, to now threaten on any basis the provision of financial support to my primary opponent," he writes.
Quayle goes on to say it is still more of a contortion for the Club to so threaten on the basis of leadership support for his campaign, saying, "I was not aware that the Club's mission includes dictating to high-ranking officials who they may and may not support. It is ironic that an organization founded in principles of freedom and limited government could have come to such a dictatorial turn."
And he points out that Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., a member of Senate leadership and perhaps the leading Arizona exponent of pro-growth and conservative policy since Barry Goldwater, has enthusiastically endorsed his candidacy in this race.
"Can Sen. Kyl now expect a similar cease-and-desist letter from you and the Club, together with a threat to shower my lower-rated opponent with Club funds, should he not withdraw this support?" he asks.
There was no immediate response from the Schwiekert camp.

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